‘It’s heart-breaking’: Methodist lay preachers say they’re being pushed out over same-sex marriage stance

Nov 29, 2022 by Jill

by Kelly Valencia, Premier:

Some Methodist lay preachers, who are not ordained and preach voluntarily, are reportedly being blocked from speaking opportunities due to their failure to accept the Church’s stance on same-sex marriage.

That’s despite a conscience clause set up to ensure those who disagree with same-sex marriage don’t feel they have to compromise their beliefs.

In 2021, the Methodist Church in Britain became the largest denomination in the UK to change its definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

The vote, won conformably by those supportive of blessing same-sex couples, meant individual churches could register to officiate the ceremonies.

It also said those opposed to the move could uphold a conscience clause which meant no church leader should be or could be forced to officiate such ceremony.

However, Steve Clark, a former ordained minister, has claimed several lay preachers in Yorkshire are no longer able to preach because they chose not to uphold the church’s doctrine on same-sex marriage.

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